3-MeO-PCP

It is strongly discouraged to take this substance in high dosages, for multiple days in a row, or in combination with other substances that increase the risk of psychosis. Please see this section for more details.

3-MeO-PCP was first synthesized in 1979 in an investigation of phencyclidine (PCP) derivatives. However, its activity in humans was not described until 1999 when a chemist using the pseudonym John Q. Beagle reported qualitative similarities to PCP along with comparable potency.[5] In 2009, it began to be discussed on online forums such as bluelight.ru and was made available for sale on the research chemicals market.[6]

Very little data exists for the pharmacology, metabolism, and toxicity of 3-MeO-PCP. Due to its potent hallucinogenic effects and lack of research, it is strongly advised to use use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemistry

3-Methoxyphencyclidine, or 3-MeO-PCP, is a synthetic dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class. 3-MeO-PCP contains cyclohexane, a six-member saturated ring, bonded to two additional rings at R1. One of these rings is a piperidine ring, a nitrogenous six member ring, bonded at its nitrogen group. The other ring is an aromatic phenyl ring, substituted at R3 with a methoxy group.

3-MeO-PCP is a PCP derivative and structurally analogous to 4-MeO-PCP.

Pharmacology

3-MeO-PCP acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. A specific subtype of glutamate receptor, NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate), modulates the transmission of electrical signals between neurons in the brain and spinal cord; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open.

Dissociatives inhibit the normal functioning NMDA receptors by binding to and blocking them. This disruption of neural network activity leads to loss of normal cognitive and affective processing, psychomotor functioning, anesthesia and eventually the equivalent of a "k-hole".

3-MeO-PCP has a Ki of 20 nM for the NMDA receptor, 216 nM for the serotonin transporter (SERT), 42 nM for the sigma-1 receptor and 2960 nM with H1 receptor [7][8] It binds to the NMDA receptor with higher affinity than PCP and has the highest affinity of the three isomeric anisyl-substitutions, followed by 2-MeO-PCP and 4-MeO-PCP.[9]

Although 3-MeO-PCP was once claimed to possess opioid or dopaminergic activity,[10] this supposition is contradicted by data showing 3-MeO-PCP to be a potent and selective ligand for the NMDA receptor without appreciable affinity for the µ-opioid receptor or dopamine transporter.[11] 3-MeO-PCP was preceded by the less potent dissociative 4-MeO-PCP and first became available as a research chemical in 2011.[5]

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWikicontributors. The listed effects should be taken with a grain of salt and will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier doses will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely on higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Physical effects

Stimulation - 3-MeO-PCP is regarded to be noticeably stimulating in comparison to other dissociatives such as ketamine, MXE, or DCK. The stimulation it presents is described as clear and subtle.

Spontaneous bodily sensations - The body high of 3-MeO-PCP can be described in terms of its style variations as a motionless, constant, sharp, all-encompassing, and euphoric activation of nerve endings across the body.

Seizure - The extent to which this effect can be produced is unknown but can likely happen in those predisposed to them, especially while in physically taxing conditions such as being dehydrated, fatigued or undernourished.

Hallucinatory states

Cognitive effects

Compulsive redosing - This effect is more prominent based on the route of administration used. For example, it is especially present when smoked or vaporized, due to the relative abruptness of the substance entering and leaving the bloodstream.

Mania - This effect is reportedly more common on 3-MeO-PCP than most other dissociatives. It typically occurs during the offset of the experience, but can also occur during the onset and come up as well.

Psychosis - This effect has been reported to be more common on 3-MeO-PCP than most other dissociatives, such as MXE or ketamine. It typically occurs during the offset of the experience, but can also occur during the onset and come up as well.

Delusion - Like psychosis, this effect is reportedly more common on 3-MeO-PCP than most other dissociatives.

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 3-MeO-PCP use has not been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because 3-MeO-PCP has very short history of human usage.

There is one death involving this substance recorded in the medical literature. In this case, the invidual's cause of death was determined to be from a combination of 3-MeO-PCP, amphetamine, and diphenhydramine.[12]

Dependence and abuse potential

3-MeO-PCP produces dependence with chronic use and has a high potential for abuse. In comparison to other dissociatives, 3-MeO-PCP has been reported to be more likely to produce psychological dependence than other dissociatives. When dependence has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if one suddenly stops their usage. There are multiple online reports of users becoming seriously dependent on this substance.

Tolerance to many of the effects of 3-MeO-PCP develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 3-MeO-PCP presents cross-tolerance with all dissociatives, meaning that after the consumption of 3-MeO-PCP, all dissociatives will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

3-MeO-PCP has been reported to cause psychosis, delusions, and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives such as ketamine, diphenidine, or MXE. There are a large number of experience reports online which describe states of "psychotic delirium, amnesia, mania, and other serious consequences" after abusing 3-MeO-PCP.[13][14][15] In some cases, it has resulted in hospitalization and occasionally has taken up to a week or more to resolve.[16][17][18][19][20]

Users should avoid taking 3-MeO-PCP for multiple days in a row or becoming dependent on it as this seems to be the main risk factor in the observed incidences of severe adverse effects.

The recommended dosage range should not be exceeded as high doses can trigger these effects as well.

Users should start with extremely low doses and work their way up as slowly as possible. Volumetric liquid dosing should preferably be used due to the drug's potency; most standard milligram scales cannot accurately weigh out doses below 10-15mg.

Compulsive redosing before one has fully sobered up is not recommended and can result in too high of a dose.

Due to the risk of psychosis, it is not recommended to combine this substance with other substances, especially stimulants, psychedelics, or other dissociatives like MXE. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

Urinary tract effects

In terms of its long-term health effects when used repeatedly and excessively for extended periods of time, 3-MeO-PCP seems to exhibit almost identical bladder and urinary tract problems to those found within ketamine, but to a lesser extent. This is possibly because 3-MeO-PCP is far more potent than ketamine so significantly less of drug needs to be consumed. Symptoms of ketamine-induced cystitis can become extremely serious and can be described as:

Urinary frequency - Urinary frequency is the need to empty the bladder every few minutes.

Urinary urgency - This can be described as a sudden, compelling need to urinate.

Urinary pressure - This is experienced as a constant sensation of fullness in the bladder that is unrelieved by urination.

Pelvic and bladder pain - Pain can develop suddenly and severely, particularly as the bladder fills with urine.

Hematuria - Hematuria is visible blood in the urine.

Incontinence - This is the leakage of urine.

These effects can be mitigated by refraining from using 3-MeO-PCP regularly (on a daily or weekly basis) and manually limiting one's usage of the substance.

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are safe to use on their own, they can become dangerous or even life-threatening when taken with other substances. The list below contains some potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses but still increase the possibility of injury of death. Independent research should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

Stimulants - This combination is not advised because 3-MeO-PCP has been reported to cause extreme psychological disturbances such as psychosis and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives.[13][14][15]

Legal status

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Austria: 3-MeO-PCP is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich).[citation needed]

Germany: On November 21, 2015, 3-MeO-PCP was added to "Anlage II" of the controlled substance act ("BtMG"), making it illegal to produce, sell or possess.[21]

Sweden: Sweden's public health agency suggested classifying 3-MeO-PCP as a hazardous substance on November 10, 2014.[22]

United Kingdom: 3-MeO-PCP is a class B drug in the UK and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import. As a derivative of 1-Phenylcyclohexylamine where the amine has been replaced with a 1-piperidyl group, further substituted in the phenyl ring with an alkoxy substituent, it is covered by the arylcyclohexylamine generic clause added to the Misuse of Drugs Act by S.I. 2013/239, which came into effect on the 26th February 2013.[23]